The E-pistle

Friday, October 18th, 2024

A Note from Father Sam

Dear friends in Christ,

Perhaps like many, you are experiencing anxiety, or worry, or simply news-fatigue as we near the November 5 General Election. As Christians, we have a responsibility to be engaged in the world that Christ came to save, and to put our faith into action as we seek to love God and all of our neighbors, especially the most vulnerable. Our Anglican/Episcopal tradition has long taken this principle to mean that voting is a Christian duty, as well as a secular, civic one. The Church never endorses particular candidates, and neither do we all vote the same way. Rather, I encourage you to consider how following Jesus’ way of love can inform every step you take through life, even (and especially) into the voting booth.

As followers of the risen Lord Jesus, our first instinct is always to do everything in a spirit of prayer, knowing that Christ surrounds us with his love and does not leave us to face difficult moments alone. If you would like pray on your own or with others around the election, here are some opportunities at St. Paul’s:

• The church will be open for prayer, as always, on Election Day, Tuesday Nov 5. Brief prayers for the nation will be led at four times throughout the day: 9am, 12pm, 3pm, and 6pm. 

• On Wednesday, Nov 6, the day after the election, a service of Holy Eucharist will be offered at 6pm in the church. If you would like to be with others in a space of prayer, please consider attending.

May God guide our feet into the way of peace, and keep us all in his love during this season and always.

Faithfully,

Father Sam

Sunday, October 20th, 2024

8:00 A.M. and 10:00 AM

Holy Eucharist

Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Scripture for the Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost: Isaiah 53:4-12, Psalm 91:9-16, Hebrews 5:1-10, Mark 10:32-45

Serving this Sunday, October 20 (8:00 a.m.)

Celebrant/Preacher: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Acolyte/LEM: Darryl Lafferty

Lector/Intercessor: TBD

Greeter: TBD

Altar Guild: Robin Race

Serving this Sunday, October 20 (10:00 a.m.)

Celebrant/Preacher: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Verger/Acolyte: Darryl Lafferty

LEM: Ginny Willcox

Lector: Virgil Stucker

Intercessor: Kendra MacLeod

Musician: David Smith

Greeters: Genet Jeanjean and Jean Rousseau

Fellowship: Ginny Willcox

Altar Guild: Robin Race

Serving next week, October 27 (8:00 a.m.)

Celebrant/Preacher: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Acolyte/LEM: Rob Maloney

Lector/Intercessor: David Pearson

Greeter: TBD

Altar Guild: Jorja Marsden

Serving next week, October 27 (10:00 a.m.)

Celebrant/Preacher: The Rev’d Samuel T. Vaught

Verger/Acolyte: Darryl Lafferty

LEM: Kendra MacLeod

Lector: Carl Sprague

Intercessor: Vaunie Graulty

Musician: Nancy King

Greeters: Jim Wade and Bill Higgins

Fellowship: Carl Sprague

Altar Guild: Jorja Marsden

Altar flowers are given by Vaunie Graulty in memory of Bill Graulty.

Parish Prayer List

Those who are ill or in need of intercession

Charles, Jacob, Kathleen, Donna, Cynthia, Cindy, Lori, Elaine, Kit, David, Ann, Jessica, Heidi, Lisa, Shawn, Betty Jo, Celia, Anne, Dawn, Natalie, Bill, Tom

Those who have recently died

Franklin Ripley

Those who have asked for our long-term prayers

Rick, Doug, Allie, Ginger, Joan, Duncan, Bernadette, Ray, Piers, Katrina, Rich, Karen, Michael, Khali, George, Barbara, Christy, John, Anthony, Astrida

Those celebrating birthdays or anniversaries

Robin & Tom Race

Diocesan Cycle of Prayer (Week of 10/20)

Congregations, Ministries, and Partners in Ministry

St. Stephen’s Church, Westborough (The Rev’d Mary Rosendale, Rector)

Chaplaincy at W. Mass. Women’s Correctional Center

The Church and Wider Mission

Daily Bread Food Pantry, Milford

Gideon’s Garden, Great Barrington

Anglican Cycle of Prayer

Sun 10/20: The Anglican Church of Rwanda

Mon 10/21: Diocese of Kansas (Episcopal Church)

Tues 10/22: Diocese of Western Kansas (Episcopal Church)

Wed 10/23: Diocese of Kanyakumari (South India)

Thurs 10/24: Diocese of Kapsabet (Kenya)

Fri 10/25: Diocese of Karachi (Pakistan)

Sat 10/26: Diocese of Karamoja (Uganda)

TONIGHT, October 18, is Oktoberfest

“Joyous singing, bratwurst, and beer” promise to be on the menu for the annual Oktoberfest TONIGHT, from 6-8pm at Big Elm Brewing in Sheffield. Join friends from Christ Trinity Church, Sheffield for this annual fundraiser to raise money for our summer Appalachian Trail ministry. A special thanks to those who are providing our desserts tonight: Lisa Alberti, Martha Bodine, Patty Melville, Brett Roberts, and Ginny Willcox.

All Saints’ Day: Submit Names of the Departed

On Sunday, November 3, we will celebrate All Saints’ Day, when we give God thanks for all the saints—all of those people who have been the lights of Christ in their generations—and pray especially for our departed loved ones, who are now part of that “great cloud of witnesses” that surrounds us at all times. If you have names you would like included in the prayers for the departed, please fill out the form in your bulletin on Sunday or email Kyra Saltman at parishoffice@stpaulsstockbridge.org no later than Wednesday, October 30th.

College Care Packages

Greetings:

As our college students from St. Paul’s settle into the new school year, we would like to again send them care packages to remind them that they are always in our thoughts and prayers and have support within their faith community. As the fall term progresses, we know that the work, lack of sleep and the feelings of isolation from being far from home can often feel overwhelming. A small package of thoughtful gifts can serve to brighten up a day. You can contribute by purchasing some of the items on our list, helping us to pack the care packages or posting the packages.

We have complied a list of much-appreciated items by interviewing two of the students. Included are:

Small note cards

candy

pens

pencils

bookmarks

Small flip notebooks

stickers for laptops   

popcorn

If you have a college student, please let Father Sam know and we will include them in the list of recipients.

Thank you for your help in this project,

Kim Savery, Rob and Jess Maloney

Pilgrimage to the Presidency: Video series from SSJE

Each week until the General Election, the brothers of the Society of St. John the Evangelist are producing a different video as part of their series, “Pilgrimage to the Presidency.” Each video helps answer the question, “How can we the Church engage in the realm of politics while maintaining our integrity, our love of God and neighbor, and our commitment to the common good?” Last week, Brother Lucas was joined by Dr. Terrence Johnson of Harvard Divinity School to explore the history of Christianity among Black Americans, especially its clear and effective political participation and the theology that underlies it. Watch the episode and learn more here.

Message from Episcopal Relief and Development

We can pray. We can give.

Episcopal Relief & Development is in touch with partners in the southeastern US as they meet the needs of people impacted by Hurricane Milton, which made landfall in southwestern Florida on Wednesday, October 9. 

Two weeks following the devastating Hurricane Helene, Hurricane Milton has killed at least five people and left over three million people without power. Episcopal Relief & Development is continuing to accompany diocesan leaders as they assess the impact and respond to the needs of their communities over the coming days.  

“Our hearts go out to the people who have been affected by Helene and Milton,” said Katie Mears, Senior Technical Specialist, Disaster Risk and Resilience, Episcopal Relief & Development. “We are continuing to work on responses that were already underway due to Helene, and are adapting and creating new plans in collaboration with dioceses to meet new needs.” 

Please pray for the people affected by Milton and Helene. Support to the Hurricane Relief Fund will help people affected by the storms to restart their lives with dignity and agency.

Photos from a delightful October at St. Paul's

Above: Blessing of the Animals Below: Organ Pipes in John Bishop's workshop

Watch at home or together: Investiture of next Presiding Bishop

The Rt Rev’d Sean Rowe, currently Bishop of Northwestern Pennsylvania and Provisional Bishop of Western New  York, will be invested as the next Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church on Saturday, November 2. You can watch the investiture, live from the Chapel of Christ the Lord at the Episcopal Church Center in New York City, at the link in the image above. Are you interested in joining or hosting a watch party for fellow parishioners? Speak to Father Sam or email the office, and we’ll organize a gathering if there is enough interest! Please do continue to pray for Bishop Sean as he prepares to take up this new ministry on behalf of the entire Episcopal Church.

St. Paul’s hosting the Berkshire Bach Society Harpsichord Festival

We are delighted to be hosting the Berkshire Bach Society’s Harpsichord Festival on September 21 and October 19. Both concerts will be at 4:00 p.m. in the Church. You can read details about the concerts on the BBS website, and purchase tickets here. Thank you to Nancy King for connecting us with BBS for these concerts!

Two Opportunities to Pray Together Each Week

Wednesday: Morning Prayer at 8:30am (Online)



Every Wednesday, a group of parishioners meet at 8:30am to pray Morning Prayer online via Zoom. All are warmly welcome to join via the Zoom link on our website. Thank you Darryl Lafferty for continuing to lead this weekly offering.

Friday: Intercessory Prayer at 8:30am (In-person)

Some may remember that several years ago, a group of parishioners met each week to pray for the needs of those on the parish prayer list. All are invited to join on Friday mornings in the church as we revive this tradition of intercessory prayer. Thank you Alice Wohl for your leadership in reviving this weekly offering.